Latest Cannabis News: December 17, 2025

Latest Cannabis News: December 17, 2025

Sabrina
DECEMBER 17TH, 2025

Stay up to date with the latest legalization and cannabis news with the C.B. Advisors. Every week, we will release a snippet of what’s happening with each state in the cannabis industry. Did you miss last week? No worries – click here for last week’s cannabis news.

Federal

President Donald Trump is weighing a plan that would reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I drug to Schedule III, The Washington Post reports. It’s a shift that would formally recognize cannabis as having accepted medical use under federal law for the first time.

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/trump-reschedules-marijuana-to-schedule-iii-promising-tax-relief-but-raising-new-legal-and-industry-concerns/

 

No Legalization

Idaho: An Idaho campaign seeking to put medical marijuana legalization on the state’s 2026 ballot is stepping up its efforts by recruiting paid petitioners to gather voter signatures to qualify the measure.

Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/idaho-medical-marijuana-campaign-steps-up-push-for-2026-ballot-initiative-by-hiring-paid-petitioners/

 

Medical

Alabama: The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission approved licenses last week for four companies: RJK Holdings, CCS of Alabama, GP6 Wellness and Yellowhammer Medical Dispensaries, potentially paving the way for up to 12 dispensaries to open next year.

Source: https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2025/12/15/is-medical-marijuana-legal-in-alabama-dispensaries-approved/87776678007/

 

Kentucky: Kentucky’s medical marijuana program marked a milestone Thursday as Gov. Andy Beshear announced the soft opening of the state’s first dispensary, which will be supplied by a Central Kentucky cultivator.

Source: https://www.kentucky.com/news/business/article313629810.html 

 

New Hampshire: State Rep. Jonah Wheeler, D-Peterborough, pre-filed bipartisan legislation on Dec. 1 for the 2026 legislative session, which proposes a constitutional amendment to allow adults 21 and older the right to possess “a modest amount of cannabis intended for their personal consumption.”

Source: https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/us-states/new-hampshire/news/15773590/new-hampshire-bill-would-put-cannabis-legalization-question-to-voters

 

Adult-Use States

Maine: A citizen-led effort in Maine is underway to repeal the state’s recreational marijuana law and place the issue on the November 2026 ballot. Supporters must gather enough signatures to qualify the proposal, which would roll back commercial cultivation and sales while still allowing limited personal possession. If successful, Maine voters would decide whether to significantly change the state’s current adult-use cannabis system.

Source: https://www.wmtw.com/article/effort-repeal-recreational-marijuana-maine-could-be-ballot-2026/69697878

 

Massachusetts: Anti-cannabis petitioners in Massachusetts are upbeat about their chances of landing an initiative on the November 2026 ballot that aims to repeal the state’s adult-use cannabis program.

Source: https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/us-states/massachusetts/news/15772310/campaign-to-end-massachusetts-cannabis-market-confident-it-submitted-enough-signatures

 

Ohio: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Thursday he will sign a bill into law that will ban intoxicating hemp products and make various changes to the voter-passed marijuana law from 2023, including new criminal provisions.

Source: https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/12/12/ohio-gov-mike-dewine-said-he-will-sign-intoxicating-hemp-ban-into-law/

 

Virginia: The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority’s guide to the 2026 General Assembly session outlines simple ways for the public to follow legislative activity, with cannabis expected to be a key topic. It directs readers to the Virginia General Assembly website for information on lawmakers, legislation, and session schedules.

The guide also highlights tools such as the Legislative Information System for tracking bills and watching meetings, and the “Who’s My Legislator” feature for contacting elected officials. The CCA notes it will keep its Board informed about legislation that may affect the agency.

Source: https://cca.virginia.gov/news/your-guide-to-following-the-2026-general-assembly-sessionnbsp

 

 

The Cannabis Business Advisors have more than thirty years of combined industry experience, spanning across the U.S. and around the globe. C.B. Advisors offers a comprehensive suite of services, including application and licensing preparation, operational analysis, merger and acquisition support, policy and procedures, exit strategy guidance, and business development planning. Stay up to date on the latest cannabis news with The CB Advisors!

Contact Info@thecannabisbusinessadvisors.com for more information on how to apply for a cannabis business license.

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